Volume 9. Two Germanies, 1961-1989
Socialist Education (February 25, 1965)
The program passed at the SED’s 6th Party Congress in January 1963 called for efforts to
restructure East Germany’s education system. With the implementation of the Uniform Socialist
Education System Act, these efforts were largely complete. The act provided for a common
curriculum for all students up to grade ten; the curriculum emphasized vocational training and
political-ideological education.
Uniform Socialist Education System Act. February 25, 1965
The German Democratic Republic has entered the new, the socialist age. After the triumph of
socialist relations of production, the main thrust of the creative activity of the working class and
of the entire population is now the comprehensive build-up of socialism. The realization of the
historic tasks of the socialist program agreed upon at the 6th Party Congress of the Socialist
Unity Party of Germany, the mastering of the technological revolution, and the development of
the socialist community demand, in the interest of society and of every individual, a higher
quality system of education: the uniform socialist education system.
The working class, together with the farmers’ collectives and all other workers, and under the
leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, has created the foundation for the victory of
socialism. The German Democratic Republic has become a capable, modern industrial nation
and a bastion of peace. It is closely allied with the socialist Soviet Union, with the other
countries in the socialist community, and with all peace-loving peoples. The people of the
German Democratic Republic are free from exploitation and oppression; they are socially
secure. Women have equal rights. In keeping with women’s important role in socialist society,
special attention is paid to their advancement and development. All of the love and care of the
workers’ and peasants’ state is devoted to the young generation, which is achieving great things
in production and in political and cultural life. The party of the working class, the government,
and the National Front of Democratic Germany are constantly working to give responsibility to
youth, to show them trust, and to give them every possible opportunity to obtain qualifications
for their professions and for life in society.
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All citizens of our country – irrespective of sex, social status, worldview, faith, and race – enjoy
the same rights. The privilege of education is no longer the sole preserve of the exploiter
classes. As once envisioned and demanded by the best humanist thinkers of the German
nation, access to science, culture, and technology is open to all in our state. Everyone can
develop their abilities to the fullest. The doors to supervisory and executive positions at work
and in society are open to our citizens.
This is how the socialist community evolved in the German Democratic Republic. The principle
is: Everything with the people, everything by the people, everything for the people.
[...]
A high standard of education and a high standard for socialist personal conduct decidedly
influence the pace of social progress. At the same time, education and culture are becoming the
responsibility of the entire nation to an even greater extent than before.
To achieve these goals it is necessary to create a uniform socialist education system. Such a
system aids in the growth and development of well-rounded people, meaning people who are
informed about socialism, who are highly qualified, healthy, mentally and physically productive,
and cultured, people who are able and willing to fulfill the historic tasks of our times.
In this ongoing, far-reaching revolution in the history of the humanist struggle for the education
of the entirety of the people, the German Democratic Republic can rely on the fact that it has
already created a capable and proven system of education.
The antifascist-democratic reform of schools and institutions of higher learning liberated the
education system from the disastrous influences of German imperialism, militarism, nationalism,
and fascism. The property owners’ monopoly on access to education was broken. As demanded
by the revolutionary German workers’ movement – and also, earlier on, by the democratic
educators of the bourgeoisie – the educational and pedagogical principles of secularity,
uniformity, state controlled education, scientifically based education, and equal opportunity
education have been fulfilled, and all that is anti-humanist has disappeared from classrooms
and lecture halls. An organically organized, uniform school system with eight years of
elementary schooling emerged. One-room schoolhouses in villages were gradually eliminated.
A high level of general education for all children in the population was increasingly assured in all
types of schools. The young generation was raised in the spirit of peace, friendship among
nations, and humanism.
Universities and colleges are, for the first time in German history, open to the children of
workers and farmers. Our universities, colleges, and technical colleges have truly become
educational institutions of the people, because the German Democratic Republic not only
proclaims the right to education but has also created the material prerequisites to realize this
right for all social strata.
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The socialist build-up also placed higher demands on the education system. The socialist
school emerged; it distinguished itself through its continual elevation of the level of education in
all subjects and at all levels, through its close connection with life, through the combination of
instruction and productive work, through the introduction of polytechnic instruction, and through
the extension of general schooling to ten years.
[...]
The uniform socialist education system shall from now on correspond to the demands of the
comprehensive build-up of socialism in harmony with the outlook of our society. Our priority is to
link school and life even more closely. The curriculum is to be adjusted to reflect the newest
discoveries in science, technology, and culture. A practical socialist education, focused on
career training, needs to be guaranteed. The individual elements of the education system must
be connected, in terms of both content and structure, in such a way that they form a uniform,
coordinated whole.
It will thus be possible to continue to raise the scientific standard of education and instruction at
all levels of the uniform socialist education system and to further improve the effectiveness of
the entire system of education through an ongoing process of education and instruction. The
educational policies of our socialist state will then be continued in a consistent manner on a
higher level.
The accomplishments of the German Democratic Republic in the field of education and its
ongoing systematic enhancement of education are a national achievement that stands as a
model for all of Germany. The socialist education system of the German Democratic Republic is
an entire historical epoch ahead of the education system in West Germany.
[...]
With its practical, democratic, and humanistic approach to education, the uniform socialist
education system sets new standards for the entire German nation.
It provides new impetuses for the great movement toward education among the entire people.
Millions of people are earning qualifications and achieving a higher level of education. By
working while they learn and learning while they work, they have embarked upon the path to an
educated, socialist nation.
The uniform socialist education system allows the socialist state, which is based on the
development of socialist democracy, to play a leading role in cultural education. The goals of the
uniform socialist education system concern the entire people. Kindergarten teachers, teachers
at general polytechnic secondary schools, vocational and technical school teachers, professors
at institutions of higher learning, the directors, master craftsmen, and instructors in factories,
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parents and the family (which are assigned a new moral and educational role in socialism),
social organizations, and all societal forces work toward these goals.
The implementation of the uniform socialist education system, along with the meeting of all
scientific, organizational, and economic prerequisites, must be carried out methodically and
incrementally. In the course of this implementation, the continuity of educational and
instructional processes must be preserved.
The solution to this historic task is made possible by the accomplishments of all workers. It
requires the efforts of all organs of the state and the economy and of all societal forces.
The Volkskammer of the German Democratic Republic hereby resolves:
Part One
Principles and goals of the uniform socialist education system and factors in social education
Paragraph 1
(1) The goal of the uniform socialist education system is a high standard of education for the
entire nation, the formation and education of well-rounded and harmoniously developed socialist
individuals who consciously shape society, alter nature, and lead happy, fulfilled, and dignified
lives.
(2) The socialist education system contributes significantly to enabling the citizens to shape
socialist society, master the technological revolution, and participate in the development of
socialist democracy. It imparts to the people a modern general education and highly specialized
training, and, at the same time, develops character traits within them that are consistent with the
principles of socialist morality. The socialist education system enables them to be good citizens
and to perform valuable work, to continue to learn, to be active in society, to contribute to plans
and assume responsibility, to lead healthy lives, to use their spare time wisely, to play sports,
and to nurture the arts.
(3) This goal unites the socialist state and all societal forces in a common formative and
educational effort.
Paragraph 2
(1) With the uniform socialist education system, the socialist state ensures that all citizens of the
German Democratic Republic have the same right to education.
(2) The basic elements of the uniform socialist education system are:
– the institutions for preschool education
– the ten-year, general polytechnic secondary schools
– the institutions for vocational training
– the college preparatory institutions
– the engineering and technical colleges
– the universities and colleges
– the institutions for adult and continuing education for workers
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The special education facilities admit children with physical or mental disabilities.
(3) The socialist education system’s emphasis on uniformity in goals and structure allows for
differentiated education at the later stages, as determined by the demands of society and the
capabilities of the individual.
(4) The socialist education system is structured so that every citizen can advance to the next
institution of learning, up to the very highest institutions, universities and colleges. The best and
most capable shall be selected for the institutions of higher learning. The social structure of the
population of the German Democratic Republic shall be taken into consideration in the selection
process.
[...]
Source: Gesetz über das einheitliche sozialistische Bildungssystem (25. Februar 1965) [Uniform
Socialist Education System Act (February 25, 1965)]; reprinted in Siegfried Baske,
Bildungspolitik in der DDR. Dokumente [Educational Policy in the GDR. Documents].
Wiesbaden, 1979, pp. 97-130.
Translation: Allison Brown
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